CVE-2018-6641 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Design Science MathType 6.9c is affected by an Arbitrary Free (Remote Code Execution) vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious code. The issue has been resolved in version 6.9d.

Understanding CVE-2018-6641

A vulnerability in Design Science MathType 6.9c could lead to remote code execution by manipulating input data, potentially causing the release of critical data structures.

What is CVE-2018-6641?

The Arbitrary Free (Remote Code Execution) vulnerability in MathType 6.9c enables attackers to overwrite structures, leading to the execution of functions with invalid parameters.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6641

The vulnerability allows for the inadvertent freeing of essential data like function pointers or list pointers, which could be exploited by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6641

MathType 6.9c vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

Crafted input in MathType 6.9c can overwrite structures, triggering function calls with incorrect parameters and potentially freeing critical data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Design Science MathType 6.9c
Vendor: Design Science
Affected Version: 6.9c

Exploitation Mechanism

By providing specially-crafted input, attackers can exploit the vulnerability to execute remote code and compromise the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-6641 and preventing future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MathType to version 6.9d to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Design Science has released version 6.9d to address the vulnerability. Ensure all systems are updated to the latest version for enhanced security.